Not my March, Not my Movement

Women all over the world banded together on January 21, 2017, and marched. They donned pink hats and joined hands, raising their signs high and their voices higher. What started as a protest against newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump morphed into so much more than a political statement; it became an empowering demonstration for women everywhere, proving that women must and will be heard.

Or, at least, that’s what they’d like you to believe.

In reality, the women’s marches were divisive and highly political, leaving a large segment of the female population in this country feeling unrepresented, marginalized, and voiceless. Pro-life women and organizations were openly uninvited. Portions of the statement of unity principles released by organizers of the D.C. march could easily have been excerpted directly from a Socialist manifesto. And women who voted for Trump? Well, they certainly weren’t welcome.

This is no surprise, of course. The term feminism was usurped by the radically progressive Left decades ago. A movement initially championed by pro-life activists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton has been appropriated by people who believe free birth control and easy access to abortions are tantamount to our fore-mothers’ fight for the right to vote.

The most frustrating part about the progressives’ hostile takeover of the feminist movement is that they have left no room for differing opinions, no room for discussion, no room for dissent—even from fellow women. Their “my way or the highway” approach, their “you’re either with us or against us” attitude, opens the door for vulgar and offensive attacks against women who assert a different brand of feminism.

This is unacceptable.

Every woman has a claim to the word “feminism,” and every woman deserves a voice in the feminist movement. No woman should have her voice silenced because she doesn’t fit neatly into the progressives’ stereotype of a woman. That’s where Reclaiming Feminism comes in.

Reclaiming Feminism is a publication for women, by women who feel unrepresented and unwelcome in the current, progressive feminist movement. We seek to provide insightful content that inspires women to make their voices heard. Whether it’s your stance on economic policy, motherhood, or abortion, if you feel abandoned by the current feminist movement, then we want to serve as a platform for your thoughts and ideas.

January 21, 2017, was a frustrating day for me. I was reminded time and again—by the media, by friends on Facebook, by politicians—that my ideas, my values were not being represented by the women marching in D.C. and across the country. Not only were my values not represented, they were disparaged. What gave me hope was the fact I was not alone. Knowing other strong, principled women shared my frustration gave me hope and inspired me to start Reclaiming Feminism.

So, here’s to us. To all women. Here’s to thoughtfully and respectfully sharing our values and shaping our world. Here’s to redefining what it means to be a feminist. Here’s to remembering that women are strongest when we all have a voice.

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1 Comment

I agree completely I am not a so-called feminist I am a hard-working woman I believe in rights for all people male female God created us all equally I am offended by most of the brass attitude and nasty language and disrespectful behaviors of these people who are Marching on behalf of women but I’m a woman and I think that a woman should be a lady